UEFA Champions League Third Qualifying Round: Fenerbahçe - Feyenoord

Fenerbahçe made their first official appearance of the 2025–2026 season against Dutch representatives Feyenoord in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round. The match, played at De Kuip Stadium in Rotterdam, ended with a 2–1 victory for the home team. Sofyan Amrabat scored the only goal for Fenerbahçe while Quinten Timber and Anis Hadj Moussa netted the goals that secured victory for Feyenoord. The return leg will be played in Istanbul on 12 August 2025.

Feyenoord-Fenerbahçe (AA)

Pre-Season Preparation

As part of their preparations for the new season, Fenerbahçe played a total of five friendly matches during their training camps in Portugal and Istanbul. Under the management of Jose Mourinho, the yellow and navy team faced Portimonense, União Leiria, Al-Ittihad, Benfica and Lazio. New signing Archie Brown consistently earned a starting spot during this period. The focus during the buildup to the Feyenoord away match was on squad cohesion and physical conditioning.

Squad Selections and New Signings

Archie Brown started for Fenerbahçe in their match against Feyenoord, making his first official appearance in the yellow and navy jersey. Nelson Semedo and Jhon Durán, who came on in the second half, also played their first official matches for the club. Notably, Jhon Durán became the first Colombian player to feature in an official match in Fenerbahçe’s history. Head coach Jose Mourinho fielded a 3–4–1–2 formation with İrfan Can Eğribayat in goal. The defensive line consisted of Milan Škriniar, Mert Müldür and Oosterwolde.

Match Progression and Key Moments

The first dangerous attack of the match came from Feyenoord in the 18th minute. After a corner from Hwang, Steijn’s header was cleared off the line by Fred. Feyenoord took the lead in the 19th minute when Quinten Timber struck from outside the penalty area. The ball deflected off Fenerbahçe’s Mert Müldür and found the net.

Fenerbahçe came close to equalizing in the 41st minute when Archie Brown’s diagonal shot from the left was saved by goalkeeper Wellenreuther. The first half ended with the home side leading 1–0.

In the second half, Fenerbahçe increased the tempo and equalized in the 86th minute through a powerful strike by Sofyan Amrabat inside the penalty area, making the score 1–1. However, in the 90+1st minute, substitute Anis Hadj Moussa scored the winning goal for his team. With this goal, Feyenoord left the pitch with a 2–1 victory.

Feyenoord-Fenerbahçe (AA)

Referee and Stadium Information

The match was officiated by Swedish referee Glenn Nyberg. It was played at De Kuip Stadium in Rotterdam and kicked off at 22:00 Turkish time.

Statistics

Fenerbahçe controlled 47 percent of possession during the match and delivered 10 shots on goal, four of which were on target.

Feyenoord recorded 13 shots, six of which found the target. Fenerbahçe completed the match with five corners and 13 fouls, while one of their goals was disallowed for offside.

According to Sofascore data, Anis Hadj Moussa of Feyenoord was the highest-rated player of the match with 8.2 points. The most notable performer for Fenerbahçe was Sofyan Amrabat, who earned a rating of 8.1.

Historical Meetings and Head Coach Notes

This encounter marked the fifth meeting between Fenerbahçe and Feyenoord in European competitions. The two teams previously faced each other in the 2002–2003 and 2016–2017 seasons, and with this defeat, Fenerbahçe suffered their third loss against Feyenoord.

Head coach Jose Mourinho made his sixth appearance against Feyenoord in his career and recorded his third defeat against them. Previously having faced the Dutch side while managing Manchester United and Roma, the Portuguese manager experienced his first official European match in charge of Fenerbahçe with this fixture.

UEFA Champions League 2025–2026 Season Third Qualifying Round Return Leg

Fenerbahçe faced Dutch side Feyenoord in the return leg of the third qualifying round of the 2025–26 UEFA Champions League in Istanbul. Having lost the first leg away 2–1, the yellow-and-navy team defeated their opponents 5–2 in the second leg to advance with a 6–4 aggregate score.

As a result, Fenerbahçe earned the right to compete against the winner of the Benfica–Nice tie in the play-off round.

Fenerbahçe–Feyenoord Return Leg (AA)

Match Context

In the first leg, Feyenoord won 2–1 at home, giving them an advantage heading into the return leg. For Fenerbahçe to advance, they needed at least two different goals in the return match. The game was played at the Chobani Stadium, hosted by Fenerbahçe’s Şükrü Saracoğlu Sports Complex, with high attendance in the stands.

Before the return leg, both technical staffs made changes to their lineups. Fenerbahçe’s head coach entrusted the attacking duo of En-Nesyri and Duran, while Brown and Szymanski played on the wings. Feyenoord fielded the defensive pairing of Ahmedhodzic and Watanabe.

First Half

The match began at a high tempo. In the 7th minute, Moussa’s shot from a long-pass buildup struck the defense and went out for a corner. In the 13th minute, Fenerbahçe created a chance as Szymanski’s pass found Duran inside the penalty area, but his shot went wide of the goal.

In the 25th minute, Fenerbahçe created a dangerous opportunity. After Semedo’s cross, Duran’s first shot was blocked by the defense, and his follow-up attempt was fingertipped away by goalkeeper Wellenreuther.

In the 28th minute, Szymanski delivered a cross from the left flank, and En-Nesyri directed the ball into the net, but the goal was disallowed for offside.

In the 41st minute, Feyenoord took the lead. From a free kick won near the center circle, Hwang’s delivery was headed into the top corner by Watanabe.

In the 44th minute, Fenerbahçe equalized. From a corner kick delivered by Szymanski, Brown rose between the defenders and headed the ball into the net.

In the 45+2 minute, Fenerbahçe took the lead. After a long pass from Amrabat, En-Nesyri headed the ball down to Duran, who struck it cleanly from just outside the penalty spot to score. The first half ended 2–1 in favor of Fenerbahçe.

Fenerbahçe–Feyenoord Return Leg (AA)

Second Half

In the 50th minute, Feyenoord came close to equalizing through Borges, but İrfan Can Eğribayat blocked the shot with his feet. In the 55th minute, Fenerbahçe extended their lead. Fred won the ball through pressure from Archie Brown and fired a powerful shot from outside the penalty area into the net.

In the 67th minute, Feyenoord’s corner kick resulted in a header from Ahmedhodzic, which was comfortably saved by İrfan Can Eğribayat.

In the 80th minute, Feyenoord launched a strong attack, but before Timber could shoot inside the penalty area, goalkeeper Eğribayat cleared the ball away.

In the 83rd minute, Fenerbahçe scored their fourth goal. Brown surged down the left flank and passed the ball to En-Nesyri on the opposite side. The Moroccan forward struck it with a single touch across the goal to find the net.

In the 89th minute, Feyenoord reduced the deficit. Bos delivered a cross, Ahmedhodzic chested the ball down to Watanabe, who fired a powerful shot to make the score 4–2.

In the 90+5 minute, Fenerbahçe scored their fifth goal. Talisca capitalized on a defensive error from Feyenoord and placed a precise shot from just outside the penalty area into the net to seal the result.

Fenerbahçe–Feyenoord Return Leg (AA)

Lineups

Fenerbahçe

İrfan Can Eğribayat, Mert Müldür (87' Yağıt Efe Demir), Skriniar, Oosterwolde, Semedo (90+5 Yusuf Akçiçek), Fred (87' İsmail Yüksek), Amrabat, Brown, Szymanski, En-Nesyri, Duran (62' Talisca).

Feyenoord

Wellenreuther, Lotomba, Ahmedhodzic, Watanabe, Bos, Stengs (86' Tengstedt), Hwang (74' Valente), Timber, Moussa, Sauer (46' Borges), Ueda.

Post-Match

With this result, Fenerbahçe advanced to the UEFA Champions League play-off round. Their opponent will be the winner of the Benfica–Nice tie. During halftime, Fenerbahçe’s General Secretary Burak Çağlan Kızılhan presented a jersey bearing the name of former club player Pierre van Hooijdonk.

Archie Brown emerged as the standout performer with one goal and two assists. Jhon Duran was substituted in the 62nd minute due to injury and replaced by Talisca.